LEICESTER HOLD CONTRACT TALKS WITH MADDISON

■ LEICESTER have opened talks with James Maddison over a new contract as the midfielder enters the final two years of his current deal. As Sportsmail reported last month, Leicester are keen to ensure Maddison, the subject of two bids from Newcastle this summer, commits his long-term future to them. The 25-year-old’s last contract renewal was in August 2020 and worth about £100,000 a week, which pushed him closer to top earners Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel. Schmeichel has left for Nice and Vardy, who is now in the last year of his contract, is also set to sign a new deal in the coming weeks.

■ NEWCASTLE are continuing talks with Watford over a deal for Joao Pedro despite having their first offer rejected. The club last night refuted claims they had made a second bid of £25million but continue to pursue a deal. Newcastle remain interested in Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic.

■ MANCHESTER UNITED winger Amad Diallo is a loan target for Nice. The 20-yearold has offers from Blackpool and Sunderland. Nice are also competing with EVERTON for Blackburn forward Ben Brereton Diaz.

■ FULHAM have made contact with Brighton over a £15m deal for Neal Maupay, who has also spoken to Everton, after the striker’s move to Nottingham Forest stalled. The Cottagers hope to finalise the loan signing of Justin Kluivert from Roma today.

■ ARSENAL right back Hector Bellerin is wanted by Serie A side Udinese. Bellerin wants to cancel his contract and return to Spain with three clubs keen to sign him, including Real Betis. Betis don’t wish to pay a fee.

■ CHELSEA are willing to let defender Trevoh Chalobah leave on loan.

■ ASTON VILLA winger Bertrand Traore is attracting interest from Istanbul Basaksehir. Fellow Turkish side Besiktas hope to finalise a deal for Everton’s Dele Alli in the coming days.

■ BOURNEMOUTH have made an enquiry for AZ Alkmaar winger Jesper Karlsson, 24.

■ TOTTENHAM midfielder Tanguy Ndombele has completed his medical ahead of his loan move to Napoli.

■ LEEDS have asked about FC Zurich’s Italy international striker Wilfried Gnonto, 18.

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